This clash is very tough to call with several players taking a
heavy battering in Wednesday's brutal Origin clash. Brisbane coach
Anthony Griffin will rest veterans Petero Civoniceva and Justin
Hodges, while Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday are both sidelined with
injury. Matt Gillett and Ben Hannant will back up in a side boosted
by last weekend's shock win over the Sydney Roosters without their
Origin stars. Cowboys co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt
Scott, centre Brent Tate and NSW prop James Tamou will carry bumps
and bruises into the clash with Thurston vowing to redeem himself
after Queensland's loss.

Key: Brisbane still have nightmares about Matt Bowen's
scrum base try to snatch a win on the siren in round two and must
keep the little fullback quiet.Tip: Cowboys.

History may be on the side of the Dragons when it comes to
beating the Bulldogs at Wollongong, but their recent performances
have cast doubt on whether they can keep up with their in-form
opponents. Ben Hornby's men have recorded just one win in their
past five games, pushing them back to 10th on the ladder. Coach
Steve Price will no doubt have spent the bye week working on his
team's attack - which has seen them score just 190 points - the
lowest in the NRL.

Key: Ben Barba will be out to prove he has what it takes
to play at State of Origin level, with the fullback looking to
replace the injured Billy Slater in game three for Queensland.

Both teams picked up crucial victories last round to end
worrying two-game skids. The Sharks have been this season's biggest
surprise packets, but had slipped to the edge of the eight before
their gritty 22-12 win over Gold Coast. The Warriors have won the
past three clashes between these teams, but Cronulla have quickly
made Toyota Stadium their fortress this season - they're chasing
six on the trot at home. The Sharks will be sweating on the fitness
of NSW skipper Paul Gallen, who reinjured his knee in Wednesday's
State of Origin clash.

Key: Fitness will be a big factor, with the Warriors
coming off a Monday night clash while the Sharks have Gallen and
Todd Carney backing up from Origin.Tip: Warriors

Chris Sandow returns to face his old team who have moved
effortlessly forward without the mercurial playmaker thanks largely
to the performances of Adam Reynolds. Souths have won the last
three encounters between the sides, but they will miss Sam Burgess,
who's sidelined yet again with a knee injury. Parramatta sparkled
against Cronulla in their last game, chalking up only their second
win of the season. Once again Jarryd Hayne got them home and with
the NSW star in good form at the moment, they will fancy their
chances of another upset.

Key: If Hayne plays well, so do the Eels. But Souths are
littered with match-winners in Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt and
David Taylor and should be too strong.Tip: Souths

With Scott Prince expected to play after missing out last
weekend and their State of Origin back-row trio Greg Bird, Ashley
Harrison and Nate Myles tipped to back up, the Gold Coast will be
confident of accounting for Penrith. The Panthers also have three
players returning from Origin duty in Luke Lewis, Michael Jennings
and Tim Grant. The Titans commit more errors than any side in the
NRL but the flip side of the coin is that Penrith convert less
opportunities from inside the opposition's 10-metre zone. Prior to
last week's loss to Cronulla the Titans had found some form to win
three straight games.

Key: Penrith need big games from Lewis, Travis Burns,
Jennings and Grant to find some form away from home.Tip: Titans

The Tigers are in rare touch at the moment and showing the form
that made them pre-season favourites for the premiership. Seven
straight wins have catapulted them into a top-four spot. Benji
Marshall and NSW hero Robbie Farah are at the top of their games,
something none of the Roosters players can say. Their home defeat
to a Brisbane side missing seven regulars last week was a new low
in a poor season. Brian Smith is wily enough to know his side must
start winning before the vultures start to circle.

Key: Fresh from helping NSW beat Queensland, Mitchell
Pearce will need to be at his best to get the Roosters back to
winning ways.Tip: Tigers

Arguably the most highly anticipated club match of the year sees
two of the game's fiercest modern-day rivals face off for the first
time since last year's infamous Battle of Brookvale. One of the
main protagonists that day, Adam Blair, is no longer with the
Storm. But Manly's fiery brothers Brett and Glenn Stewart, who were
both suspended for their involvement in the fight, are expected to
back up from Wednesday's Origin match. The ladder-leading Storm
have suffered a huge blow with gun fullback Billy Slater almost
certainly sidelined with a knee injury.

Key: The loss of Slater is enormous. He lifts for games
against the Sea Eagles and is impossible to replace.Tip: Manly